This next research stage in Anne Thuot’s series of evolving video performances following the figure of Lydia Richardson (the embodiment of the quintessential white European in contemporary Fortress Europe) focuses on various “African objects” present in our everyday lives. For this version of You Will Be Missed in Rennes, objects will be collected from willing residents who have been interviewed to present their multi-faceted history. This is a private and highly political exploration of the hidden links between Europe and Africa by a trio of artists, including Sara Sampelayo and Flore Herman.
This new project by performance artist Anne Thuot continues her installation work in urban space around the character of Lydia Richardson, a “made-up eccentric figure representing an ideal of European identity and privilege”. Images of her will be used in the final edit of the Rennes version of You Will Be Missed. This participatory and multi-disciplinary project (video, performance, writing) has been created in partnership with Flore Herman and Sara Sampelayo. “African objects” are collected across a given area in various European cities (Marseille, Brussels, Dommelhof), with the support of the residents who own them and have developed emotional ties to the African continent through them.
The travelling objects from You Will Be Missed came here as plunder, were handed down through the generations, or imported into our countries. They each tell the tale of a unique relationship, an emotional, historical or political memory, revealing different facets of our shared histories. This memory is then shared in an in-situ video installation, with a mix of true stories and fiction. In this immersive, yet kaleidoscopic work, sculptures, jewellery, fabrics and masks take to the floor, complete with their contradictions and black holes, in an artistic and unashamedly political commentary on contemporary Fortress Europe.
BIOGRAPHY
> ANNE THUOT (France)
Anne Thuot is a French artist who moved to Belgium to study at the INSAS film and theatre school. She has been a director and performer in Brussels for many years, working with French- and Flemish-speaking companies including Dito’Dito, Transquinquennal, Bronks and Fabuleus, along with choreographers Hans Van den Broeck and Jérôme Bel. With her character Lydia Richardson, Anne Thuot adopts the stance of an anthropologist, dissecting our habits and social relationships within a precise geographical area. She also teaches at INSAS.
> FLORE HERMAN (Belgium)
Flore Herman graduated from EHESS and ULB in Humanities and the Performing Arts, and has worked with various companies (Aigle de Sable, Anne Thuot, Sarah Vanhee) and festivals. After a stint as Production Manager for the Kunstenfestivaldesarts, she now works for them in a mediation role as a permanent moderator.
> SARA SAMPELAYO (Spain)
After studying at the Madrid Royal Conservatory of Dance and Escuela de Arte No.10 in photography, Sara Sampelayo moved to Brussels to work with Wim Vandekeybus, Hans van den Broeck, Harold Henning, Fré Werbrouck, Louise Vanneste, Michiel Soete and the Lucinda Ra Grondwerk collective, among others. At the same time, she has been developing her own projects as a choreographer.
DISTRIBUTION
A project by: Anne Thuot, Flore Herman & Sara Sampelayo / Administration: Fast asbl / With the participation of residents of Rennes Métropole
With the support of CIFAS (Bruxelles), IN SITU- plateforme européenne pour la création artistique en espace public, Lieux Publics (Marseille), Provinciaal Domein Dommelhof (Neerpelt – Belgique), Les Tombées de la Nuit (Rennes), Workspacebrussels.
With the support of 
